'70s Icons Who Ditched Meat Before It Was Trendy

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Since veganism and vegetarianism are so normalized these days, it can be difficult to imagine that there was a time when they were considered unusual. In the modern day, people are far more aware of all the good things that happen to your body when you stop eating meat, thanks to the extensive research and studies on the matter. A 2024 study in Foods found that adopting one of the many different types of vegetarian diets could promote gut health by diversifying gut microbiota composition, help fight chronic inflammation, combat oxidative stress, and aid in appetite regulation and obesity management. 

A vegetarian diet could also help reduce the risk of health issues like cancer, vascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Over the years, the discourse surrounding animal welfare and environmental concerns has only grown louder, and heavily contributed to the rise in people swearing off meat. Additionally, the abundance of plant-based alternatives on the market has greatly reduced the barrier to entry. But if we go back a few decades, things looked quite different for the average vegetarian and vegan. 

In the '60s and '70s, the decision to give up meat had negative connotations, and was frequently labeled as something that only hippies did. There was also the notion that the dietary choices were just an eyeroll-worthy attempt from the younger generation to rebel against traditional values. In previous decades, giving up meat also had increased practical considerations since food options on the market were relatively limited. However, all the practical and societal concerns weren't enough to deter some celebrities from eliminating meat from their diets decades ago.

Speaking to National Geographic in 2017, Paul McCartney shared that he and his late wife Linda McCartney had decided to adopt a vegetarian diet about 40 years ago. They were at their farm and noticed how spirited the sheep seemed after giving birth. However, the couple's joy from the sight was somewhat dulled by the fact that they were eating lamb at the time. 

Shortly after that unfortunate moment, Paul and Linda decided to quit eating meat. In a 2009 interview with PETA, the former Beatles frontman shared that one of the first things he and his wife did after coming to the decision was figure out the best protein sources that aren't meat so they could comfortably fulfill their nutritional goals. He added that he didn't miss traditional meat-based products, stressing, "[Vegetarianism is] a thrill and I can walk past a field of animals with a clear conscience." 

In a 2010 interview with The Guardian, he said that although he had stopped eating meat for animal welfare reasons, he was ultimately glad that his choice also helped the environment. The "Hey Jude" hitmaker also spoke highly of vegetarianism's impact on the environment during a 2008 interview with PETA, saying, "I think the biggest change anyone could make in their own lifestyle would be to become vegetarian." He pointed out that the excessive amount of land and water required for meat farming could greatly contribute to global warming.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2010, Joan Jett opened up about why she had chosen to go vegetarian in the late 80s, saying, "A lot of things converged in my life then — musically, emotionally — but mainly it was my love of animals and spending so much time touring that made me decide I had to change my diet." The "Bad Reputation" hitmaker went on to detail how she would get immense pleasure from eating rare steaks in her younger years. 

As she grew older, she went through a phase where she ate a ton of breakfast food for a year, which took away her hankering for meat. Additionally, in a 2010 interview with PETA, the rock icon shared that she had come face-to-face with the reality of animal farming after reading John Robbins' "Diet for a New America." Due to a culmination of all of these factors, Jett couldn't bring herself to eat meat anymore. 

The singer-songwriter then said that she wasn't overly concerned about incorporating protein into her diet and instead just wanted to focus on eating healthy. Jett also said that she had seen a positive change in her energy levels after cutting out meat. In a 2010 interview, Jett shared that her on-stage performance had also improved since she was free from the mental heaviness that came with eating meat. Speaking to NY Daily News in 2018, the "Dirty Deeds" songstress revealed that she was "very close to vegan." However, she felt she couldn't call herself a vegan because she still ate bits of honey and butter.

During a 1987 interview, Fred Rogers shared that he had turned pescatarian in 1970 following his father's passing. However, he had adopted a vegetarian diet following an insightful conversation, which he shared, saying, "I said to somebody, 'I had heard that fish is very good for you. And that person said, 'Yeah, but it's not good for the fish.'" The television icon's empathy was only further stoked by the realization that they had pet fish on the sets of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood." 

Additionally, in a 1997 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Rogers opened up about his sweet philosophy about his diet, saying, "I just don't eat anything that had a mother, that's all." When the beloved icon spoke to The Vegetarian Times for its November 1983 issue, he admitted that one of the many reasons he had cut meat out of his diet was that he found himself growing increasingly uneasy about eating animals because he had once watched them as living beings. Moreover, Rogers found that children tended to experience similar discomfort after realizing that meat came from animals. 

As for Rogers himself, he was perfectly happy eating a diet that primarily consisted of fruits, vegetables, cottage cheese, and tofu. What made him even happier was that his diet had helped him remain nearly the same weight he had been since college. Although Rogers seldom discussed his vegetarianism openly on his show, he did include a segment about tofu-making in one of his shows.

During a 2012 interview with the Vegetarian Times, Bob Barker shared that he had nixed meat from his diet 35 years ago. The former "The Price is Right" host credited his wife, Dorothy Jo Gideon, who was a vegetarian, for instilling that change in him by cooking up some delicious meals. Barker also noted that his desire to promote animal welfare had also played a part in the decision. Around the same time he made the dietary choice, he also decided to get more serious about his inherent love for animals and became an animal activist. 

According to Barker, he might not have been able to work a job that required him to be on his feet and frequent ad-libbing had he not followed a vegetarian diet and exercised regularly. Additionally, in a 2013 YouTube video for PETA, the iconic game show host shared that he had started to feel more energized shortly after he eliminated meat from his diet. 

Barker also pointed out that research had shown how eating processed meat every day could seriously impact cognitive health and even lead to Alzheimer's. During a 2025 appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," Drew Carey shared that there was a strict "no meat" and no leather policy on the sets of "The Price is Right" to stay in line with Barker's dietary preferences. As for Barker himself, he told Veg News in 2023 that he had found immense fulfillment in being an animal rights activist.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2001, Chrissie Hynde shared that she had decided to stop eating meat around 30 years ago. By the time of the interview, the rocker barely had any meat eaters in her inner circle, even though she hadn't made a conscious effort to keep them at arm's length. Hynde also stressed that she hadn't given up meat to reap the health benefits, but due to ethical dilemmas. 

In a 2023 interview with The Guardian, The Pretenders' frontwoman didn't mince her words while sharing her reasons for not eating meat, saying, "I don't see any reason to kill an animal if I don't have to [...] But my real question is: why does anybody do that if they don't have to? It blows my mind every day of my life." Additionally, during a 2014 appearance on "Skavlan," Hynde said that people couldn't accurately call themselves or environmentalists or humanitarians if they ate meat because their dietary choices went against their message. 

The "I'll Stand By You" hitmaker also said she wouldn't like having a meat-eater over at her home because she would feel uncomfortable paying money to a butcher to cook a meal for them. On a similarly blunt note, Hynde stated that she couldn't come up with a single good reason for meat consumption. Given all this, it's rather unsurprising that Hynde had gone to great lengths for the cause. In July 2003, the rock star was briefly arrested for demonstrating outside a KFC in Paris, calling out the company for inhumanely handling its livestock.